we have seen this pattern illustrated by the nomination of barbara keenan of virginia. judge keenan's nomination was stalled for four months. after the time-consuming process of cloture, her nomination was approved 99-0. well, if she can be approved 99-0, why require the filing of a cloture petition? why tie up this senate for the better part of two days? may the record show that the distinguished presiding officer, the junior senator from minnesota, is nodding in agreement with my statement that's a procedure we lawyers used to perfect the record. but that has been the policy. tying up this body, going to cloture, the delay, and then overwhelming confirmations, not only unanimous, but very, very substantial. and i predict that is what will happen with judge vanaskie here today when the roll is called a little later this afternoon. one additional note, teeth proceed -- these proceedings take a very heavy toll on the nominee. judge vanaskie is a man devoted to public service. when he was practicing law in scranton, his paycheck was a great deal bigger than when he became